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Weeds – the bane of gardeners everywhere. Nothing is more frustrating than spending time digging in the dirt to remove unwanted vegetation only to have it rear its ugly head soon after. Fortunately, the herbicide glyphosate 41 takes care of the problem, but you need to carefully follow instructions for mixing and applying it so you don’t harm yourself or desirable plants. When properly used, glyphosate 41 makes quick work of removing unwanted weeds and grasses from the landscape.

Product Composition

There’s a host of brand-name products containing glyphosate 41, and all, regardless of name, work the same way and contain the same basic ingredients. Glyphosate 41 herbicides mainly consist of 41 percent glyphosate IPA salt, which is the chemical herbicide, and 59 percent ethoxylated tallowamines, which is a surfactant. Surfactants, commonly called “stickers,” help herbicides stick to the treated vegetation.

How It Works

Glyphosate 41 is a postemergence, nonselective, water-soluble herbicide that effectively kills most grasses, broadleaf weeds, woody shrubs and trees when properly applied and has no residual activity when applied to the soil. It works well to eliminate unwanted vegetation on sidewalks, pathways, driveways, along fences, and around trees and shrubs. Glyphosate 41 also works well to kill large grassy areas before replanting and to kill weeds prior to planting flower and vegetable gardens.

The herbicide starts working when applied to the targeted plant’s foliage and then moves through the entire plant, working its way to the root system. Treated plants begin wilting and yellowing, eventually turning brown and dying. For most annual weeds, it takes approximately two to four days to notice the product working, but for tougher perennial weeds, it can take a week or longer. You should wait at least three days before planting or seeding a treated area.

When to Apply

For the best results, apply glyphosate 41 on days that are windless, sunny and warm and when rain isn’t forecast. However, the product is generally rainproof if it’s had at least two hours to remain on the targeted plant and has fully dried. The herbicide usually takes longer to work when applied during cool and cloudy or foggy conditions.

Protective Gear

Toxicity studies show that glyphosate 41 has a low toxicity level when it’s ingested or inhaled in small quantities; skin-irritation probability is also low. However, follow safety precautions when applying the herbicide to lessen the risk of exposure. Wear safety glasses to prevent the product from splashing into your eyes, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, closed-toe shoes and gloves. After applying the herbicide, be sure to change your clothes and wash your hands. Launder your clothing in a separate load, using plenty of detergent and hot water. If you accidentally ingest the product, get it in your eyes or have an adverse reaction on your skin, immediately contact your local poison control center or hospital for further advice.

Appropriate Mixing Containers

Before mixing or storing glyphosate 41, make sure you are using an appropriate holding container. Tank sprayers made of stainless steel, plastic or plastic-lined steel, fiberglass or aluminum, as well as hose-end sprayers are safe to use with the product.

Do not mix, apply or store glyphosate 41 in containers made from unlined or galvanized steel as it can be dangerous. Glyphosate reacts to the metal, forming hydrogen gas, which can be volatile. Any type of spark, such as that from a cigarette, can cause the gas to explode, resulting in possible injury or death to anyone who is close by.

Mixing Instructions and Amounts

Homeowners most commonly use pump-up, handheld sprayers to apply glyphosate 41, and the process of mixing the product is relatively basic. Unscrew the sprayer lid and set it aside. Fill three-quarters of the tank with clean water and then add the desired amount of herbicide. Gently move the tank to mix the product, being careful not to splash it out of the opening. Slowly fill container the rest of the way up with water to prevent the product from foaming. If foaming does occur, wait a few minutes for the solution to settle and then finish filling the tank to the fill line. Screw the top back on the sprayer, pump it up, and the herbicide is ready for use.

For best control, use a stronger solution for heavily weeded areas affected by perennial weeds. When figuring out how much to use, 2 tablespoons is equal to 1 ounce. All amounts listed are for use with 1 gallon of water:

For a .5 percent solution, use 0.7 ounce of glyphosate 41

For a 1 percent solution, use 1.3 ounces of glyphosate 41

For a 2 percent solution, use 2.7 ounces of glyphosate 41

For a 5 percent solution, use 6.5 ounces of glyphosate 41

For a 10 percent solution, use 13 ounces of glyphosate 41

Application Instructions

Before you start treating the selected area with glyphosate 41, test the spray pattern of the nozzle. Spray a small portion on a paved driveway and adjust the nozzle to the desired width of spray. Once you have the preferred pattern, you can begin spraying the unwanted vegetation. Remember, this herbicide kills or severely damages any plant it comes into contact with, so protect desirable plants. You can use a paper or plastic shield placed between the desired plant and the unwanted vegetation to prevent herbicide contact. Spray the glyphosate on the plant it's until wet and thoroughly covered. There’s no need to spray until it runs off the targeted plant.

Product Storage and Cleanup

If desired, you can store unused glyphosate 41 in the sprayer, but be sure to release the pressure by unscrewing the top until you hear the pressure release; then securely screw the top back in place. You can also transfer any unused herbicide into a plastic container for future use. Once your sprayer is empty, thoroughly wash all parts, including the wand, to remove any herbicide residue. Fill the tank halfway with water, pump up the sprayer and rinse away any glyphosate deposits by spraying the water through the wand onto a paved driveway so it doesn't affect any vegetation.; repeat the process. Store the unused herbicide in an area where children and pets can’t get to it or accidentally knock it over.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Keep children or pets out of the treated area until the glyphosate 41 has completely dried. Do not spray the herbicide around bodies of water, where there's potential for runoff or in areas affected by high and low tides.

About the Author

Joyce Starr has been a professional writer and editor for over 13 years, specializing in the topics of horticulture and home improvement. For 20 years, she’s owned a garden center and landscaping/consulting business and holds numerous horticulture certificates. She’s covered numerous DIY home topics and has hundreds of articles published on gardening topics. Her work appears in SpaceCoast Living magazine, Atlanta Constitution Journal, SFGate Home Guides, 1-800-Flowers and many more.